Electrode handling and storing apparatus



July 28, 1959 E. D. DlLLlNG ELECTRODE HANDLING AND STORING APPARATUSFiled March 4, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l L m F INVENTOR. ELMER D. DILLINGAGENT July 28, 1959 v E. D. DIL LING 3 ELECTRODE HANDLING AND STORINGAPPARATUS Filed March 4, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3.

INVENTOR.

ELMER D. DILLING United States @Patenr @fifice 2,897,129 Patented July28, 1959 ELECTRODE HANDLING AND STORING APPARATUS Elmer D. Dilling, LasVegas, Nev., assignor to Titanium Metals Corporation of America, NewYork, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Application March 4, 1957, SerialNo. 643,788

Claims. (Cl. 204-225) This invention relates to apparatus for handlingand storing electrodes produced or employed in electrolytic cellsoperated for the production of metals. More particularly, it relates toapparatus permitting the discharging of an electrode from anelectrolytic cell and temporarily storing it, and the recharging of the,cell with a new electrode from temporary storage.

Certain metals, such as titanium and zirconium, may be produced byelectrolytic methods. These metals are readily oxidized when exposed toair, particularly at the elevated temperatures at which they may bedischarged as or on cathodes from an electrolytic cell. A serious need,therefore, exists for apparatus capable of handling loaded cathodeassemblies and removing them from the cell, and to make possible therecharging of the cell with an empty cathode assembly, all to beaccomplished without allowing the cathodes or the cell interior to comein contact with the atmosphere.

it is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide animproved electrode changing and storing apparatus. Another object ofthis invention is to provide apparatus for changing and storing emptyand charged cathodes to and from an electrolytic cell without exposureto the atmosphere. These and other objects of this invention will beapparent from the following detailed description thereof, and from theannexed drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a central vertical section of apparatus embodying featuresof this invention; Fig. 2 shows a horizontal section of the apparatus ofFig. 1 taken along the line 2-2; Fig. 3 shows an end section of theapparatus of Fig. 1 taken along the line 3-3; Fig. 4 shows a detail ofthe crossbar guide roller assemblies; Fig. 5 shows in more detail, theelectrode locking mechanism.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus comprises ahollow shell 10, which may, if desired, be provided with wall coolingmeans, such as attached pipes 11, through which cooling water may becirculated. Inside the shell and attached to the Walls thereof bybrackets 12 are a pair of spaced-apart, Y-shaped channel members 13,composed of upper arms 14 and legs 15. These channel members arearranged in correspond ing spaced-apart and interiorly facingrelationship. The bottoms of the legs 15 of the channel members 13 arelocated over an aperture 16 in the bottom of the shell 10.

Flexible means are provided for hoisting and lowering an electrodethrough aperture 16 up and down the path described by the vertical legsof the guide members to and from storage positions out toward the endsof the arms of the guide members. In the embodiment illustrated suchmeans comprise endless chains 17 which are arranged to travel a path upthe vertical legs 15, out in the arms 14 and back from the outer ends ofthe arms 14 to the bottom of the legs 15. It will be apparent that thereare four of these chains, two organized with each of the pair of channelmembers 13. Each corresponding pair of chains is bridged and connectedby a horizontal crossbar 18 whose ends are fixedly attached to thechains.

The crossbar ends are provided with fixtures more particularly shown indetail in Fig. 4 and which each comprise a substitute chain link 19which is provided with laterally extending hubs 20, which form betweenthem groove 21. Around one of the hubs 20 is provided freely rotatableroller 22 adapted to engage the flanges of the channel members 13, andof diameter slightly less than the distance between these flangesthereby to guide the chains in their prescribed paths. The grooves 21provide clearance for the other chain when either cross bar is moving upor down the vertical leg of channel members 13. Depending from crossbars18 are electrode attaching means in the form of hangers 23, which areprovided near their lower extremities with lock holes 24.

The chains 17 are additionally guided and actuated along their pathsrelative to the channel members 13, and from the ends of arms 14 to thebottoms of the legs 15, by provision of lower guide sprockets 25,intermediate guide rolls 26, which are located at the neck of the Y, andupper sprockets 27. Means are provided for selectively rotating uppersprockets 27 independently which, in the embodiment described, may takethe form of horizontal shafts 28 which are keyed to the sprockets 27 incorresponding pairs as will be apparent, one end of each of the shafts28 projecting externally through the Wall of the shell 10. Rotation ofthe shafts 28, conveniently accomplished by cranks 29, acting throughreduction gears 30, will provide actuation of the chains 17 in theirdesigned paths as described. The aperture 16, at the bottom of shell 10,is opened and closed by provision of slide gate 31, which is providedwith aperture 32 of dimensions corresponding to aperture 16 in thebottom of the shell 10. Attached to gate 31, which is shown in openposition, is rack 33. Meshing wit-h rack 33 is pinion 34. Actuation ofpinion 34 by rotation of its attached and externally projecting shaft35, by means of crank handle 36, will permit the aperture 16 to be fullyopened or firmly closed as desired. In addition, sealing means areprovided to prevent entry of contaminating gases around the juncture ofslide gate 31 with adjacent portions of the shell 10. These maycomprise, as shown, a channel member 37 which completely surrounds theaperture 16, and in which is located inflatabletube 38. One surface ofthe inflatable tube 38 is sealed to an interior face of channel member37 .as at 39, another face of the tube 38 being arranged to bear againstslide gate 31 when in closed position. Inflation of the .tube. 38 bymeans of a conventional gas supply such as compressed air (not shown)applied through connectorAO-will form a gas-tight seal between slidegate, 31, inclosed position, and channel 37 which-is attached to shell10.

At the .base of theshell 10, completely surrounding the aperture 16, isdepending flange 41 which forms a compartment open at the bottom andwhich may communicate with, or be shut oif from, the interior of theshell 10 by alternative actuation of slide gate 31. The bottom of flange41 is arranged to be detachably sealed to the top of an electrolyticcell with which the device of this invention will be employed. Toaccomplish this, a channel member 42 surrounds the opening in the ,cellcover through whichan electrode may be withdrawn, and which contains aliquid sealing material 43 composed forexample of a low melting metallicalloy. Such sealing device, which in and of itself forms no part of thisI invention, in its most useful aspect and preferred embodiment is moreparticularly described and claimed in my co-pending application Ser. No.640,190, filed Feb. 14', 1957, now Patent 2,871,178, dated January 27,1959.

The top portion or cover 44, of an electrode 45- adapted for handlingand storing by means of the apparatus of this invention, is providedwith suitable. means for detachably locking onto the electrode attachinghangers 23 as shown in detail in Fig. 5. Such means may be of anyapplicable type and in the embodiment illustrated, comprise upstandingsocket members 46 which are spaced apart and adapted to mate withhangers 23. Socket members 46 are provided with horizontal holes 47which are alignable with holes 24 in the hangers 23. Locking pins 48,attached to arms 49 which are in turn mounted on cross shaft 50, areadapted to transfix the aligned holes in sockets 46 and hangers 23 whenthese are in mated position as shown. Cross shaft St) is slidablymounted in support members 51, which are attached to the electrode cover44, so that the pins 48 may be withdrawn and the electrode attachingmeans thereby unlocked and detached, when desired. The locking assemblyis operated from outside the compartment by provision of rod 52 whichpierces the flange 41 and which is provided at its outer end with handle53 and at its inner end with catch member 54. An end of cross shaft isprovided with angle member 55 which with the adjacent arm 49 forms anook into which catch member 54 may be engaged through operation of rod52 by handle 53. The cross'shaft 50 may then be slidably actuated fromoutside the furnace to lock or unlock the electrode 45 onto or from theattaching hangers 23. Catch member 54 may then be positioned close tothe flange 4-1 to allow free passage of the electrode cover 44.

The shell 10 is adapted to be evacuated and filled with inert gas byprovision of valved pipes 56 and 57 which pierce the walls 10 thereofand which may be connected to conventional and suitable pumpingequipment and gas supply (not shown) as required.

In operation of the apparatus of this invention the sealing tube 38 isfirst deflated by bleeding out contained air through connector 40. Theslide gate 31 is then opened and the apparatus placed over an empty cellcathode of the type described. One of the cranks 2.9 is then rotated tobring a cross shaft down the central leg of the Y-shaped member 13, sothat the electrode hangers 23 project downwardly through the aperture16. The hangers 23 are then locked to the empty cathode by manipulationof handle 53 to position locking pins 48 transfixing the sockets 46 andhangers 23. The empty cathode is then transported into the shell bycranking of 29 until the cathode is in position as shown in the dottedlines in Fig. 1. Gate 31 is then closed and the aperture 16 sealed byinflating tube 38. The shell 10 is evacuated by connected pipe 57 to asuitable pump and then backfilled with inert gas fed in through pipe 56.

The apparatus, now containing an empty cathode in storage is placed onan electrolytic cell having a cathode ready for discharge. The flange 41of the apparatus is sealed to the cell cover and the tube 38 is deflatedand the slide gate 31 is opened. Then the other cross bar with hangers23 is lowered over the aperture and the hangers locked to the cellcathode as described in the case of the empty cathode. The loadedcathode is transported into shell 10 in position corresponding to theempty cathode in storage, but in the other side of the apparatus. Theempty cathode is then lowered down through the-aperture 16 into the cellas will be obvious and the hangers unlocked by manipulation of handle53. At this point the empty cathode is in position in the cell and theloaded cathode which it replaced is in storage in the shell 10. Theslide gate 31 is then closed and tube 38 is re-inflated thus sealing theshell 10 and the apparatus may then be removed from the electrolyticcell. The loaded cathode may be removed from the apparatus whenconvenient or appropriate under the particular operating conditions andthe shell 10 recharged with an empty cathode as hereinbefore described.

During storage of a hot loaded cathode in shell 10, cooling water may becirculated through pipe 11 to maintain the shell Walls at propertemperature. It may or may not be desirable to cool the loaded cathodeto discharge temperature While in storage in the apparatus, but in anyevent the transfer and incidental or desired cooling is conductedwithout exposure of the cathode or the cell interior to atmosphericcontamination.

I claim:

1. Electrode handling and storing apparatus comprising; a hollow shellhaving an aperture in the bottom thereof, a pair of correspondingY-shaped guide members, spaced apart in parallel planes and fixedlyattached interiorly to the side of said shell, a pair of cross bars withth ir ends movably engaging said guide members and having electrodeattaching means suspended therefrom, two corresponding pairs of endlessflexible inextensible hoisting and lowering means, each following a pathup the leg, out an arm and back from the outer end of the arm to thebottom of a leg of said Y-shaped guide members and being guided in itsdescribed path by rotatable elements located at the bottoms of the legs,at the neck and at ends of the arms of said Y-shaped members, eachcorresponding pair of said flexible inextensible hoisting and loweringmeans being connected by one of said cross bars, a depending flangesurrounding the aperture in the bottom of said shell and forming anopen-bottom compartment adapted to be sealed to the top of anelectrolytic cell, means operable from outside said compartment foractuating detachable means for locking said electrode attaching meansonto an electrode, means operable from outside said shell forselectively actuating each corresponding pair of flexible inextensiblehoisting and lowering means whereby an electrode locked to saidelectrode attaching means may be transported to and from storage in saidshell through the aperture in the bottom thereof, and a gate closeableto seal the aperture in the bottom of said shell during storage of anelectrode therein.

2. Electrode handling and storing apparatus comprising; a hollow shellhaving an aperture in the bottom thereof, a pair of correspondingY-shaped guide members, spaced apart 'in parallel planes and fixedlyattached in teriorly to the side of said shell, a pair of cross barswith their ends movably engaging said guide members and having electrodeattaching means suspended therefrom, two corresponding pairso f endlesschains, each following a path up a leg, out an arm and back from theouterend of the arm to the bottom of a leg of said V-shaped guidemembers and being guided in its described path by rotatable elementslocated at the bottoms of the legs, at the necks and at ends of the armsof said Y-shaped unembers, each corresponding pair of said chains beingconnected by one of said cross bars, a depending flange surrounding theaperture in the bottom of said shell and forming an open-bottomcompartment adapted to be sealed to the top of an electrolytic cell,means operable from outside said compartment for actuating detachablemeans for locking said electrode attaching means onto an electrode,means operable from outside said shell for selectively actuating eachcorresponding pair of chains whereby an electrode locked to saidelectrode attaching rneans may be transported to and from storage insaid shell through the aperture in the bottom thereof, and a gatecloseable to seal the aperture in the bottom of said shell duringstorage of an electrode therein.

3. Electrode handling and storing apparatus comprising; a hollow shellhaving an aperture in the bottom thereof, a pair of correspondingY-shaped, internally facing channel members spaced apart in parallelplanes and fixedly attached interiorly to the side of said shell, a pairof cross bars with their ends terminating in rollers which movablyengage said channel members and having electrode attaching meanssuspended therefrom, two corresponding pairs of endless chains, eachfollowing a path up a leg, out an arm and back from the outer end of thearm to the bottom of a leg of said Y-shaped channel members and beingguided in its described path by rotatable elements located at thebottoms of the legs, at the necks and at ends of the arms of saidY-shaped channel tnembers, each corresponding pair of said chains beingconnected by one of said cross bars, a depending flange surrounding theaperture in the bottom of said shell and forming an open-bottomcompartment adapted to be sealed to the top of an electrolytic cell,means operable from outside said compartment for actuating detachablemeans for locking said electrode attaching means onto an electrode,means operable from outside said shell for selectively actuating eachcorresponding pair of chains whereby an electrode locked to saidelectrode attaching means may be transported to and from storage in saidshell through the aperture in the bottom thereof, and a gate closeableto seal the aperture in the bottom of said shell during storage of anelectrode therein.

4. Electrode handling and storing apparatus comprising; a hollow shellhaving an aperture in the bottom thereof, a pair of correspondingY-shaped, internally facing channel members spaced apart in parallelplanes and fixedly attached interiorly to the side of said shell, a pairof cross bars with their ends terminating in rollers which movablyengage said channel members and having electrode attaching meanssuspended therefrom, two corresponding pairs of endless chains, eachfollowing a path up a leg, out an arm, and back from the outer end ofthe arm to the bottom of a leg of said Y-shaped channel members andbeing guided in its described path by a rotatable sprocket located atthe bottom of a leg, a roller at the neck and a sprocket at an end of anarm of said Y-shaped channel members, each corresponding pair of saidchains being connected by one of said cross bars, a depending flangesurrounding the aperture in the bottom of said shell and forming anopen-bottom compartment adapted to be sealed to the top of anelectrolytic cell, means operable from outside said compartment foractuating detachable means for locking said electrode attaching meansonto an electrode, means operable from outside said shell forselectively actuating each corresponding pair of chains by rotation ofsprockets by which they are also guided, whereby an electrode locked tosaid electrode attaching means may be transported 4 to and from storagein said shell through the aperture in the bottom thereof, and a gatecloseable to seal the aperture in the bottom of said shell duringstorage of an electrode therein. g

5. Electrode handling and storing apparatus comprising; a hollow shellhaving an aperture in the bottom thereof, a pair of correspondingY-shaped, internally facing channel members spaced apart in parallelplanes and fixedly attached interiorly to the side of said shell, a pairof cross bars with their ends terminating in rollers which movablyengage said channel members, and having electrode attaching meanssuspended therefrom, two corresponding pairs of endless chains, eachfollowing a path up a leg, out an arm and back from the outer end of thearm to the bottom of a leg of said Y-shaped channel members and beingguided in its described path by a rotatable sprocket located at thebottom of a leg, a roller at the neck and a sprocket at an end of an armof said Y-shaped channel members, each corresponding pair of said chainsbeing connected by one of said cross bars, a depending flangesurrounding the aperture in the bottom of said shell and forming anopen-bottom compartment adapted to be sealed to the top of anelectrolytic cell, means operable from outside said compartrnent foractuating detachable means for locking said electrode attaching meansonto an electrode, means operable from outside said shell forselectively actuating each corresponding pair of chains by rotation ofsprockets by which they are also guided, whereby an electrode locked tosaid electrode attaching means may be transported to and from storage insaid shell through the aperture in the bottom thereof, and a slide gatebearing against inflatable sealing means to seal the aperture in thebottom of shell during storage of an electrode therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,497,117 Osthofi June 10, 1924 1,786,398 Fink et al. Dec. 23, 19302,627,943 Hastings Feb. 10, 1953

1. ELECTRODE HANDLING AND STAORING APPARATUS COMPRISUNG; A HOLLOW SHELLHAVING AN APERTURE IN THE BOTTOM THEREOF, A PAIR OF CORRESPONDINGY-SHAPED GUIDE MEMBERS, SPACED APART IN PARALLEL PLANES AND FIXEDLYATTACHED INTERIORLY TO THE SIDE OF SAID SHELL, A PAIR OF CROSS BARS WITHTHEIR ENDS MOVABLY ENGAGING SAID GUIDE MEMBERS AND HAVING ELECTRODEATTACHING MEANS SUSPENDED THEREFROM, TWO CORRESPONDING PAIRS OF ENDLESSFLEXIBLE INEXTENSIBLE HOISTING AND LOWERING MEANS, EACH FOLLOWING PATHUP THE LEG, OUT AN ARM BACK FROM THE OUTER END OF THE ARM TO THE BOTTOMOF LEG OF SAID Y-SHAPED GUIDE MEMBERS AND BEING GUIDED IN ITS DESCRIBEDPATH BY ROTABLE ELEMENTS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOMS OF THE LEGS, AT THE NECKAND AT ENDS OF THE ARMS OF SAID Y-SHAPED MEMBERS, EACH CORRESPONDINGPAIR OF SAID FLEXIBLE INEXTENSIBLE HOISTING AND LOWERING MEANS BEINGCONNECTED BY ONE OF SAID CROSS BARS, A DEPENDING FLANGE SURROUNDING THEAPERTURE IN THE BOTTOM OF SAID SHELL AND FORMING AN OPEN-BOTTOMCOMPARTMENT ADAPTED TO BE SEALED TO THE TOP OF AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL,MEANS OPERABLE FROM OUTSIDE SAID COMPARTMENT FOR ACTUATING DETACHABLEMEANS FOR LOCKING SAID ELECTROATTACHING MEANS ONTO AN ELECTRODE, MEANSOPERABLE FROM OUTSIDE SAID SHELL FOR SELECTIVELY ACTUATING EACHCORRESPONDING PAIR OF FLEXIBLE INEXTENSIBLE HOISTING AND LOWERING MEANSWHEREBY AN ELECTRODE LOCKED TO SAID ELECTRODE ATTACHING MEANS WHEREBY ANELECTRODE LOCKED TO SAID ELECTRODE IN SAID SHELL THROUGH THE APERTURE INTHE BOTTOMM THEREOF, AND A GATE CLOSEABLE TO SELF THE APERTURE IN THEBOTTOM OF SAID SHELL DURING STORAGE OF AN ELECTRODE THEREIN.